Mark your calendar For these can't miss local events
From concerts to cultural events, Santa Cruz is alive with activities celebrating everything from art and fashion to food and film. Here are a few rad events worth adding to your social calendar.
Fourth of July - Abbot Square
Jul 04, 2025 | 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
The summer fun spills out on to Cooper Street for this festive festival! It’s a come-and-go-as-you-please kind of day with something for everyone—great food, live music, cool cars, quirky games, and the unbeatable energy of downtown Santa Cruz in summer.
Fourth of July - Roaring Camp Railroads
Jul 04, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
This Fourth of July, take either the Redwood Forest Steam Train or the Santa Cruz Beach Train. Enjoy the nostalgic town of Roaring Camp for family-friendly activities, live music and a good ol’ American BBQ.
Fourth of July - Old Fashioned Independence Day at Wilder Ranch
Jul 04, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Free event. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. Hang on to that receipt! Once you have paid for parking at one State Park, it is good for all of them for the day. There are 14 in Santa Cruz County alone to explore!
Fourth of July - Firecracker Race at Harvey West Park
Jul 04, 2025 | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Its all here and waiting for just for you! The race is always held on July 4th in the morning! What a great way to kick off a holiday celebration of our nation’s Independence Day.
Swing out Santa Cruz! - July 12th, 2025
Jul 12, 2025 | 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Movies on Main Beach: Jumanji - July 11th, 2025
Jul 11, 2025 | 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
There’s nothing like watching your favorite movies right on the beach with the smell of kettle corn, corn dogs, and saltwater taffy filling the air! The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is welcoming back Movies on the Beach in front of the Colonnade near Neptune’s Kingdom. Bring the family and your blanket or low-back chair. Movies at the Beach are on Fridays beginning at 9pm from June 13 – August 8, 2025. Except for the 4th of July.
- July 11, 2025: Jumanji
Movies on Main Beach: Clueless - July 18th, 2025
Jul 18, 2025 | 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
There’s nothing like watching your favorite movies right on the beach with the smell of kettle corn, corn dogs, and saltwater taffy filling the air! The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is welcoming back Movies on the Beach in front of the Colonnade near Neptune’s Kingdom. Bring the family and your blanket or low-back chair. Movies at the Beach are on Fridays beginning at 9pm from June 13 – August 8, 2025. Except for the 4th of July.
- July 18, 2025: Clueless
Movies on Main Beach: Wizard of Oz - July 25th, 2025
Jul 25, 2025 | 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
There’s nothing like watching your favorite movies right on the beach with the smell of kettle corn, corn dogs, and saltwater taffy filling the air! The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is welcoming back Movies on the Beach in front of the Colonnade near Neptune’s Kingdom. Bring the family and your blanket or low-back chair. Movies at the Beach are on Fridays beginning at 9pm from June 13 – August 8, 2025. Except for the 4th of July.
- July 25, 2025: Wizard of Oz
Movies on Main Beach: Despicable Me 4 - August 4th, 2025
Aug 01, 2025 | 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
There’s nothing like watching your favorite movies right on the beach with the smell of kettle corn, corn dogs, and saltwater taffy filling the air! The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is welcoming back Movies on the Beach in front of the Colonnade near Neptune’s Kingdom. Bring the family and your blanket or low-back chair. Movies at the Beach are on Fridays beginning at 9pm from June 13 – August 8, 2025. Except for the 4th of July.
- August 1, 2025: Despicable Me 4
Movies on Main Beach: the Goonies - August 8th, 2025
Aug 08, 2025 | 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
There’s nothing like watching your favorite movies right on the beach with the smell of kettle corn, corn dogs, and saltwater taffy filling the air! The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is welcoming back Movies on the Beach in front of the Colonnade near Neptune’s Kingdom. Bring the family and your blanket or low-back chair. Movies at the Beach are on Fridays beginning at 9pm from June 13 – August 8, 2025. Except for the 4th of July.
- August 8, 2025: The Goonies
Midtown Summer Block Party (Featuring Hijinx) - July 18th, 2025
Jul 18, 2025 | 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Get ready, Santa Cruz—Event Santa Cruz Midtown Fridays Summer Block Party is back for its 5th year, and it’s bigger and better than ever!
7/18 Hijinx
Midtown Summer Block Party (Featuring Ripatti Rose Band) - July 25th, 2025
Jul 25, 2025 | 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Get ready, Santa Cruz—Event Santa Cruz Midtown Fridays Summer Block Party is back for its 5th year, and it’s bigger and better than ever!
7/25 Ripatti Rose Band
Midtown Summer Block Party (Featuring Alwa Gordon | Silvandgold & Friends) - August 1st, 2025
Aug 01, 2025 | 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Get ready, Santa Cruz—Event Santa Cruz Midtown Fridays Summer Block Party is back for its 5th year, and it’s bigger and better than ever!
Midtown Summer Block Party (Featuring Alex Lucero Band) - August 8th, 2025
Aug 08, 2025 | 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Get ready, Santa Cruz—Event Santa Cruz Midtown Fridays Summer Block Party is back for its 5th year, and it’s bigger and better than ever!
8/8 Alex Lucero Band
Midtown Summer Block Party (Featuring Ancestree & Friends) - August 15th, 2025
Aug 15, 2025 | 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Get ready, Santa Cruz—Event Santa Cruz Midtown Fridays Summer Block Party is back for its 5th year, and it’s bigger and better than ever!
8/15 Ancestree & Friends
Midtown Summer Block Party (Featuring Jive Machine) - August 22nd, 2025
Aug 22, 2025 | 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Get ready, Santa Cruz—Event Santa Cruz Midtown Fridays Summer Block Party is back for its 5th year, and it’s bigger and better than ever!
8/22 Jive Machine
Midtown Summer Block Party | Streetlight Records 50th Anniversary Party - August 29th, 2025
Aug 29, 2025 | 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Get ready, Santa Cruz—Event Santa Cruz Midtown Fridays Summer Block Party is back for its 5th year, and it’s bigger and better than ever!
8/29 Streetlight Records 50th Anniversary Party: Feat Slow Gherkin | Voluntary Hazing
